Method of operating a navigation system using images

Abstract

A method of operating a navigation system determines a route between an origin and a destination and provides a photographic image showing a geographic area through which the route passes. The photographic image shows the geographic area from a land-based viewpoint. The method overlays a route highlight on the photographic image identifying a path to be traveled. The route highlight includes a symbol indicating at least one feature of the route selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route.

1. A method of operating a navigation system comprising:
 determining a route between an origin and a destination; 
 providing a photographic image showing a geographic area through which said route passes, wherein said photographic image shows the geographic area from a land-based viewpoint; and 
 overlaying, using a processor, a route highlight on said photographic image identifying a path corresponding to the route, wherein the route highlight includes a symbol graphically representing on the photographic image at least one feature of the route selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 providing a label on said photographic image. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein said photographic image is associated with road segment data in the geographic database. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein said photographic image is associated with location information in the geographic database. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein said route highlight comprises a series of icons extending along the path containing the symbol indicating the feature of the route. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein said photographic image provides an angle of view greater than 180 degrees. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  further including:
 determining an alternative route from the origin to the destination; and 
 providing an alternate route highlight on said photographic image identifying a path corresponding to the alternative route, wherein the alternate route highlight includes a different symbol. 
 
     
     
       8. A navigation system comprising:
 a processor; 
 a display; and 
 a guidance application executable on said processor to obtain a photographic image and to overlay a route highlight on said photographic image, wherein said photographic image provides a land-based view, wherein the route highlight graphically illustrates a path corresponding to the route and a direction of travel for the route and includes a symbol graphically depicting a feature of the route or the destination. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8  wherein said guidance application displays said photographic image with said route highlight on the display of the navigation system. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8  wherein said guidance application places a text label on said photographic image to identify a point of interest visible is the photographic image. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 8  wherein the feature of the route is selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 8  wherein the feature of the destination is selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible entrance, toilets available and refreshments available. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 8  wherein the photographic image includes a label. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 8  wherein the photographic image includes an advertisement. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 8  wherein said photographic image provides an angle of view greater than 180 degrees. 
     
     
       16. A method of operating a navigation system comprising:
 determining, using a processor, a route between an origin and a destination; 
 providing, using the processor, a photographic image showing a geographic area through which said route passes, wherein said photographic image shows the geographic area from a land-based viewpoint; and 
 overlaying, using the processor, a route highlight on said photographic image identifying the route, wherein the route highlight includes a symbol providing visual information representing at least one feature of the route or the destination. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the feature is selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible route, tree-lined route, well-lit route, quiet route, scenic route, crowded route, peaceful route, and bicycle friendly route. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the feature is selected from a group consisting of handicap accessible entrance, refreshments available and toilets available. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 providing a label on said photographic image. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 16  wherein the photographic image includes advertising.